Claire
My bank account was drained and then frozen. I was back in JJ’s office waiting for the interrogation to begin. Peering through the conference room glass, I saw Piper stand with his back to the door. JJ put his arm around Creedie’s shoulders and walked him to the corner.
JJ started talking, and Creedie tensed up. The two had a five-minute conversation and started walking back to Piper. JJ gave me a wink.
What the heck did he say to Creedie?
The agents walked in with JJ, and after handshakes, everyone sat down. Piper pulled out the recorder and hit record. My palms started sweating.
Get a grip, Claire. You don’t need to appear nervous. I did a quick run-through in my head about what I would tell my clients and tried to relax.
Piper started. “We need to ask you about this document.” He slid the forged contract over to me.
I gaped at him. “This is the document Ben and I disclosed to you. Ethan didn’t sign it. It’s been forged.”
“Dan Crane is claiming that you forged it.” Creedie gave me his emotionless eyes.
My head snapped over to him. Hurt filled my eyes. “And you believe him?”
Creedie’s neck flushed. He softened. “We have to ask you, Claire.”
I took a deep breath. “I did not forge that document. I have never forged any document.”
Creedie licked his lips, didn’t say anything, and searched my eyes.
I stared back at him, and his flush started to deepen.
Piper cleared his throat. “Claire, we need to ask you about the bank transfers.”
My mouth went dry. I slowly turned to Piper. “What bank transfers?”
Piper slid a bank document to me. “The five-point-eight-million-dollar transfer to this Cayman bank account registered to you then transferred out to multiple places. After the transfer the money disappeared.”
My insides started to shake. Keep it cool, Claire.
JJ jumped in. “My client doesn’t know anything about that, but that is an interesting question. Let me ask you this question: How does Dan Crane know about this account if he isn’t behind it?”
“According to Dan Crane, he found it when he was cleaning out Claire’s desk.” Creedie’s eyes looked away from mine.
I started laughing. Maybe it was all the stress of everything, but I started laughing so hard that tears came to my eyes.
“Want to tell us what’s so funny?” Piper asked.
“You honestly believe someone as smart as I am would embezzle money in an account in my own name and be stupid enough to leave evidence behind? Come on. You two aren’t this foolish.” I stood up, put my hands on the table, and rotated my glance between Piper and Creedie.
They didn’t say anything, but both shifted in their seats.
“Claire, sit back down,” JJ calmly instructed.
I ignored him. “You”—I pointed to Piper—“and you”—I pointed to Creedie—“know me better than this. You’re smarter than this. Do your job.”
“Claire—” Piper started as Creedie’s face turned purple.
I cut him off. “No. I’m leaving. Unless I’m under arrest?” I raised my eyebrows at them.
They didn’t say anything.
JJ spoke up. “Well, is she under arrest?”
“No, you’re not under arrest, Claire.” Creedie gave me his puppy-dog eyes full of sympathy.
I looked at him and blinked back tears. “Then do your job, because I’ll be damned if I’m going to rot in prison because you two are too lazy to get to the truth.”
I grabbed my purse and walked out the door. I heard JJ say, “I’ll be back in a minute.” I could feel him close on my heels. I didn’t stop until I got to the elevator.
“Claire, you all right?”
I exhaled, not realizing I had been holding my breath. “Yeah, I’m sorry about my outburst.”
He gave me a small smile. “I actually think that went pretty well. I’ll go back in and finish this out. I think they got the picture.”
“We need to prove that I had no knowledge of that account and am being framed.”
“I’m on it, Claire. Go home, get some rest. I’ll contact you with the next steps.”
I nodded and stepped into the elevator.
JJ put his hand on the elevator door as it started to close. “One more thing, Claire.”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t forget to stick to the rules.”
I waited till I got to my apartment before I called Ethan.
He answered the phone. “You okay?”
A tear dropped down my cheek. His voice alone exacerbated the pain in my heart. It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since I’d last seen him and I missed everything about him.
“Claire? You there?”
I sniffled. “Yeah, I’m here.”
“What happened? You’re upset.”
I looked up to the ceiling. “I’m okay. I just miss you.”
“I miss you, too. Tell me what happened.”
I explained to him my meeting with JJ and having to freeze my bank account. Then, I explained how I walked out on Piper and Creedie.
“You’re allowed to walk out of an interrogation?”
I shrugged. “It’s not the best way to handle things, but sure, if you’re not under arrest.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me that?”
“Because you would have walked out and that would have made you look guiltier.”
He chuckled a bit. “Fair enough. So...you walked out. What did JJ say?”
“He was okay with it, actually. Before the meeting he pulled Creedie aside... Seems they were high school friends. I don’t know what he has on Creedie, but he’s definitely soft on me again.”
“I’m not sure if I should be happy or sad about that one,” Ethan teased.
“Trust me, you don’t have to worry about that one.”
“So…I’m sending a surprise over.”
“What is it?” My curiosity was piqued.
Ethan’s sexy laugh came across the line. “You’ll see. You home the rest of the day now?”
“Yes. I don’t have anywhere to go. I’m unemployed, can’t see my lover, and the suspect in a five-point-eight-million-dollar embezzlement case. My life is pretty exciting.”
“All right then. Hey, I have to go. I’ll call you later. Go smell my shirt or something.”
“Go smell your shirt?” I laughed.
“Yeah. I’ll call you later.” He abruptly hung up.
Okay, that was a quick goodbye.
I went over to the laundry basket and pulled his shirt out. I smelled it anyway. Okay, that was torture. Instead of making me feel better, it only made me miss him more.
Walking out to the family room, I grabbed my laptop and turned it on. Bored, I looked at my Instagram and Facebook accounts. I didn’t go on social media very often, but from what I could see, I wasn’t missing out on much.
About an hour into my aimless session, my doorbell rang. It was Jack’s wife, Maddie. I buzzed her in.
I gave her a big hug. “Hey, girl! When are you going to pop that baby out of you?”
Maddie laughed. “I’m not due for a few more weeks.”
“Well, you look beautiful!” She really did. She was glowing, and her bright blue eyes sparkled.
She smiled. “Thanks.”
“Come in and sit down. What brings you to my side of town?”
Maddie grinned at me. “I’m your surprise.”
“Ethan sent you to entertain me?”
“Sort of…”
I cocked my head to the side and waited for her to finish.
“Ethan booked us some spa services. The car’s waiting downstairs.”
My eyes lit up. “Really? That was sweet of him.”
“That’s what I thought. Help me up, and we can go.” She giggled and held out her hand.
I stood and pulled her up.
“That’s the one thing about being this pregnant…standing up is hard!”
I laughed.
“Go get your purse and let’s get out of here,” she instructed.
I gave her a little salute, and we were soon making our way out the door and down the elevator. When we got outside, her driver was waiting. “Claire, you remember Casey, right?”
I nodded. “How have you been, Casey?”
“Ma’am.” He nodded back. “I’m good. You?”
“Doing well, thank you, Casey.” I got in the car with Maddie.
We didn’t have to drive far. We soon pulled up to Serenity, a five-star, very exclusive, members-only spa. I looked over at Maddie and slightly panicked. “I’ve always wanted to come here, but I’m not a member.”
She laughed and waved her hand at me. “Don’t worry, Jack owns it. Ethan owns part of it as well, actually.”
I gaped at her. “Seriously?”
She giggled again. “Yep.”
“You guys have been holding back on me!”
“Well, now that you know our secret, you’ll have to take full advantage of it.” She winked.
Casey opened the door and helped us out. We walked into the lobby and checked in. I was handed a schedule, and we were soon being escorted to the women’s locker room.
Ethan had scheduled a facial and massage for me. We quickly changed into our spa robe and slippers, and Maddie and I made our way to the relaxation area.
We were the only ones in the room and sat in luxurious chaise lounges. I pulled the furry blanket over my body and settled in.
Maddie turned to me. “How are you holding up?”
I shrugged. “It is what it is right now.”
She put her hand on my arm. “I’m sorry you have to go through this.”
“I want it to be over.”
She nodded. “I bet.”
A woman came into the room with a clipboard. “Maddie Burns?”
Maddie raised her hand. “That’s me! I need some help getting up, if you don’t mind?” She swung her legs onto the ground.
The woman laughed. “No problem.” She helped her up.
Another woman came out and called my name.
We went to our rooms and had our facials. I was feeling pretty relaxed by the time it was over. I met back up with Maddie in the pool/sauna area.
“This place is awesome.” I looked around. There was a cold dip pool, a salt water pool, and an entire slew of different saunas that ranged from Himalayan salt to the traditional dry and wet saunas.
We had about an hour until our massages, and I tried all the different saunas out. Maddie was in the salt pool when I got out.
“That’s one thing I truly miss. I love these saunas,” she gushed.
“If I were you, I would have a permanent weekly visit to this place!” I went over and grabbed a glass of lemon water. A woman came in and called my name and told me it was time for my massage. I waved bye to Maddie and walked down the hall and into the dark massage room.
The scent of lavender and eucalyptus filled the air. I inhaled deeply. The masseuse asked me a few questions, told me to lie face down, and left so I could disrobe.
I quickly removed my robe and sandals and got into the warm bed. My face was in the cradle, and I closed my eyes, breathing in the lovely smell.
I’m going to have to thank Ethan properly the next time I see him, ran through my mind.
I heard a knock. “Come in,” I called out.
The door opened, and then I heard it clasp shut. The bed started moving up. I settled into the bed further as the sheet was folded down to the top of my butt. I felt fingers begin to trace over my back. I got a little pulse in my sex.
Jeez, Claire. Twenty-four hours since you had sex and you’re getting hot and bothered over being touched.
I took another deep breath as I continued being massaged. I hadn’t realized my masseuse had such large hands...or at least, they felt large.
It felt so good, and I started thinking of Ethan’s hands. I couldn’t help it. As her warm hands moved all over my back, shoulders, and neck, I fell into the fantasy that Ethan was massaging me.
Her hands moved lower and massaged my ass cheeks. I groaned, not even caring what she thought.
The sheet was pulled back up to my neck, then pulled back across my right leg. Fingers trailed down my thigh to my ankle before coming back up right under my ass cheek and massaging me all the way down.
I moaned again. Two hands that wrapped around my entire thigh slid down my leg, sending tiny ripples of electricity through my veins and up to my crotch.
I was getting hornier by the minute. I wondered if there was a pool on the sheets from my juices dripping.
The sheet went back over as the masseuse replicated the same procedure on my left leg. I told myself to stop imagining they were Ethan’s hands, but I couldn’t stop. Her touch was turning me on as if they were Ethan’s own hands.
She finished my left leg and replaced the sheet. I heard the stool move, and she grabbed my foot and must have hit one of my erogenous zones, because I groaned loud as pleasure shot through my leg.
Instead of removing her hand, she continued to push on that spot. I started clenching my pussy and couldn’t control my moans and shaky breath.
The sheet went over my foot, and she repeated the same thing with my other foot.
Jesus, I’m not going to be able to look at this woman when I get up to leave.
I told myself to get a grip, but the more she touched me, the more I was turned on. All I could think about was Ethan’s hands. Heat crept through my face.
She finished on my foot and glided her hands from my ankles all the way up my inner legs, so close I thought she was going to touch my sex.
My pussy started pulsing in anticipation, as she paused right there and started kneading my inner thigh.
The thought went through my mind that this was the best massage I’d ever had. How many people have orgasmed on this table before?
She traced her massive hands from my inner thighs back to my ankles, then took her glorious fingertips and lightly teased me all the way up to my shoulders.
With my nerves dancing, I opened my eyes and expected to scoot down and turn over…when I felt lips on my neck. “Oh, God,” I moaned, then quickly realized what was happening.
I froze as soft lips started making their way from my neck down my body.
What kind of place is this? I thought in alarm.
But her lips feel so good! They were on my ass cheek now.
No, no, no! This can’t go any further.
But...ahh...no, no, NO!
I quickly flipped over on the table.
“Claire. You enjoying your massage?”
Ethan
Claire was really getting into the massage. I couldn’t help grinning like a schoolboy over how turned on she was getting.
Of course, my dick was getting harder and harder as I continued to massage her, and I held myself back from licking and sucking her beautiful body.
I kissed her. I was beginning to wonder how much more she was going to let me do to her when she flipped over.
“Ethan,” she breathed. Her face had a beautiful flush to it, and she was slightly panting.
“Happy to see me, or disappointed it wasn’t Susie?” I grinned wickedly at her.
She playfully slapped me on the arm. “What are you doing here?” she whispered.
“Give me a kiss first, and then we can talk.”
She grinned at me and pulled me into her, passionately kissing me. “So, what are you doing here? Won’t we get caught?” She glanced around the room as if someone else was there watching us.
I gave her a cocky look. “I own the place… Well, I have shares in it.”
“But what if Susie says something?” Claire looked panicky.
I put my finger over her mouth. “Susie got called to massage an athlete that only allows her to give him massages. Jack’s sister Carly, who is the manager and very discreet, told her she would take care of sorting you out.”
Claire still looked worried.
I leaned into her. “Don’t worry, Maddie made sure the coast was clear and the door is locked.”
“Okay.” She relaxed a bit.
I grazed my lips on her collarbone, and she let out a little breath. “I think it’s time I finished your massage.”
She giggled. “Ethan, someone will hear us!”
I kissed her and trailed my lips down to her pink tits. “I guess you’re going to have to be quieter, then.”
Claire grabbed my head and kissed my forehead.
I pushed her gently down on the massage table. “Relax,” I murmured. “Let me finish your massage.”
She bit her lip, and a smile crept onto her face. God, she’s an angel.
I snacked on her breasts and moved my body to the end of the table. Grabbing her hips, I pulled her down so her ass was on the edge. I heard her inhale sharply.
Sitting on the stool, I threw her legs around my shoulders, kissed her inner thighs, and listened as her breathing got heavier. I continued to tease all around her.
Her glistening, perfectly pink pussy pulsed at me in anticipation, and I inhaled her sweet smell, blew some air on her sex, and watched as it clenched up in surprise.
“Ohhh…” I heard Claire breathe.
“Keep it quiet, Claire,” I reminded her in a hushed tone. I reached over and grabbed a rolled-up cloth from the counter and put it on her stomach. “Bite down on this if you have to.”
She clutched it in her hand.
I yanked her hips a bit more into my face and continued my journey of teasing and tormenting her as my tongue lashed out and my fingers curled within her.
She was already so damn wet and turned on. Her heavenly taste sent my cock into disarray as it pushed against my pants and begged to be freed. I ate her out with elevated excitement and listened to her try to keep her moans and cries quiet as she whimpered over and over.
Claire always sent me reeling with her vocal reactions, but hearing her struggle to contain her emotions, whimpering against me, was so damn beautiful.
With my arms wrapped under her thighs, I grabbed her hips and pulled her even more into my face.
“Oh…God…Ethan...oh…” she quietly groaned.
I flicked quicker.
“Please...please...oh...please…” she moaned louder.
“Shh…” I reminded her, my mouth still on her pussy, then flicked my tongue all over her and added a bit of suction.
“Don’t stop...please...don’t...oh…” she begged through hitched breath.
My dick started pulsing once more. “Towel, Claire.”
She grabbed the towel and bit on it, then pushed my head against her harder, and I sent her soaring. She made loud, muffled noises and continued to whimper as her body rocketed into my face.
I held her against me, continuing to pleasure her as she quivered into me. Her heels dug into my back, and her back arched off the table.
She started to come down, and I held onto her and brought her back up. Her body twisted and ground into my face.
I held her steady against my mouth, determined to give her more pleasure. As my hands drove her hips into me, the sounds of her beautiful whimpers filled the room. She throbbed over and over against my tongue as I gave her a second high.
Her entire body was convulsing on the table, and her face was flushed. Her eyes rolled, and her mouth tried to stay clamped to the towel she bit down on.
She is the most beautiful sight in the world.
When she came down from her high, she gazed down the table at me, breathless, still slightly trembling.
“Claire, I’ll give you more if you can stay quiet.”
For the love of my dick, please tell me you can stay quiet.
She feverishly nodded her head.
“You sure?”
She nodded again.
I scooted the stool back, stood up, and dropped my pants. Ripping open a condom, I rolled it onto my aching cock. I straightened her legs against my chest and glided into her.
I groaned in pleasure. My shaft thrust in and out of her as pleasure oozed through every cell of my body. I placed my hands around her outer thighs and onto her stomach.
How does she always feel so good?
She grabbed my hands and laced her fingers through mine, her eyes opening and closing like she was trying to focus while she continued to bite down on the towel.
Sweat started to drip from my body. “So good, Claire,” I muttered, and briefly closed my eyes. Her body started to clamp and release me as my balls slapped her ass and started to tighten up.
Claire’s sexy whimpers started flowing out of her mouth. She squeezed my hands harder and arched her back.
So sexy.
Bending her knees, she quickly wrapped them around my waist and pulled me in closer as a slow tremor started moving through her. I thrust more quickly, grabbed her hips, and pushed her hard into me, as I knew I was about to explode within her.
“Oh...oh…” she moaned through the towel as her eyes rolled, and she ruptured into a shaking frenzy that sent me pumping hard into her.
I fell forward with my elbows on both sides of her body. My head rested on her stomach, and we breathed through the aftermath together.
Slowly I stood, and she sat up, then swung her legs over the side of the table. She patted the seat next to her. Walking over, I sat down and pulled her onto my lap. Claire grabbed my head and kissed me so hard, my head started to spin.
“Thank you. I needed to see you so much... Thank you.” She kissed me again and made me feel like I was the only person on Earth.
“We just have to color outside the lines, right?” I grinned at her.
She gave me her million-dollar smile. “I wish I could fall asleep with you tonight.”
My face fell. “I know. Me too. Soon. I’ll figure something out soon. I promise.”
She ran her fingers through my hair and gave me a wink. “You colored this scene pretty well.”
I laughed softly and looked at the time. “Ugh. I don’t want you to go, but you’re going to need to get your robe on and leave the room. I’ll leave when the coast is clear.”
She stood up, then put her robe and sandals on. I grabbed her, pulled her between my legs, and gave her another long kiss.
She’s so delicious. I’m going to miss her.
When she pulled back, she was grinning. “Hey, do I get perks to this place more often since you own it?”
With a cocky grin, I pulled a card out of my pocket. “I almost forgot your parting gift.”
Her eyes gleamed at me. “What is it?”
“Your membership.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep. I put it under Jack’s account so it’s not traced to me.”
“So I can come here whenever I want?” She looked at me like she didn’t really believe it.
“Yep.” I shot her an amused grin.
She wrapped her arms around me. “You, Ethan Knight, are a keeper.”